Chicago February 13, 2025
The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on Kash Patel’s nomination for FBI director today. If approved, Patel’s nomination will move to the full Senate for a vote. Patel, a former Trump administration official, has been a vocal critic of investigations into President Donald Trump and has promoted conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.
During his confirmation hearing, Patel vowed not to engage in political retribution, but his past statements have raised concerns. In his book “Government Gangsters,” Patel described the FBI as “a tool of surveillance and suppression of American citizens” and part of the “Deep State.”
Democrats had delayed the committee vote last week, seeking to force Patel to testify again. However, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, called the attempts “baseless,” noting that Patel had already provided extensive testimony and documentation.